Genetic and cellular analyses of zebrafish atrioventricular cushion and valve development

• DOI: 10.1242/dev.01970
• Publication Date: 2005-08-18T00:14:02Z
• Authors: Dimitris Beis; Thomas Bartman; Suk-Won Jin; Ian C. Scott; Leonard A. D'Amico; Elke A. Ober; Heather Verkade; Julie Frantsve; Holly A. Field; Ann Wehman; Herwig Baier; Alexandra Tallafuss; Laure Bally-Cuif; Jau-Nian Chen; Didier Y. R. Stai...; Benno Jungblut
• Keywords: Heart development; Atrioventricular canal; Atrioventricular valve

Defects in cardiac valve morphogenesis and septation of the heart chambers constitute some most common human congenital abnormalities. Some these defects originate from errors atrioventricular (AV) endocardial cushion development. Although this process is being extensively studied mouse chick, zebrafish system presents several advantages over models, including ability to carry out forward genetic screens study vertebrate gene function at single cell level. In paper, we analyze cellular subcellular architecture during stages AV development gain an unprecedented level resolution into process. We find that cells canal differentiate morphologically before onset epithelial mesenchymal transformation, thereby defining a previously unappreciated step formation. use combination novel transgenic lines fluorescent immunohistochemistry further role various (Notch Calcineurin signaling) epigenetic (heart function) pathways addition, large-scale screen identified 55 mutants, 48 different genes, exhibit discrete This collection mutants provides unique set tools our understanding basis behavior differentiation